A Polish man, who was found to be in possession of a large quantity of ecstasy and cannabis which he supplied to members of the Polish community in order to send the money to his sick mother, was before Castlebar District Court on Wednesday.
Garda Donal Rafferty told the court that having received confidential information a search warrant was obtained for the home of Pawel Welecki, James Street, Claremorris, which was executed on August 1 2008, where 183 E tablets and cannabis herbs were found on the premises.
Welecki also faced a dangerous driving charge which occurred on August 21 at 3.31am where on the Ballindine Road, Claremorris, where the defendant was observed by gardaí reversing his car on the right hand side of the road before Welecki performed a handbreak turn and spun his car around 180 degrees.
Solicitor Lynda Lenehan said in relation to the drugs, defendant purchased them for €1,900 in Galway and was selling them to other Polish people so that he could send the money to his ill mother in Poland. Ms Lenehan said that Welecki is now living in Ballinrobe and works as a roofer.
The defendant has no previous convictions in Ireland or Poland. Judge Mary Devins convicted and fined him €750 for the intent to supply E tabs and imposed a three month prison sentence which is suspended for 12 months. For the dangerous driving charge the judge convicted and fined Welecki €250 and disqualified him for two years.
